COVID 19 UPDATE | DATE CHANGE
UPDATE 21/03/20: SADLY DUE TO THE ONGOING ESCALATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND INCREASINGLY TIGHTER CONTROLS ON PUBLIC MOVEMENT, WE HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO RESET THIS EVENT TO JULY 2021
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ORIGINAL POST 19 MARCH 2020
I'm getting asked frequently now about "the ball going ahead". I do have a newsletter planned to go out to everyone who has bought tickets, but will start here:
DO I HAVE PLANS TO CANCEL THE Costumiers Fantasy Masquerade Ball?
SHORT ANSWER No we don't
LONG ANSWER
In it's first year we had always planned that the Costumiers Fantasy Masquerade Ball to be a smaller 'boutique / intimate affair' - and we would grow from there with big and more grander events being added year on year.
Guest numbers for this year on either night will not be more than 250 pax per night, so it's well below the 'current' maximums for gatherings.
The event also is not being held until mid July - so I believe we have time to watch, wait and observe.
We are hoping the stricter confinements of the coming 8 weeks may see New Zealand clear of the virus, but if that doesn't eventuate I'll be ready to change my plans.
And if Government & Ministry of Health warnings begin to extend into July or further restrictions on events are made - I promise we will act quickly and decisively to let you know
We will be following all Ministry of Health recommendations - and if I can get my hands on the gold, I will also have hand sanitiser stations set up over the weekend.
SO YES - SHE'S STILL ALL GO FOR JULY
Amid the cabin fever of the coming months where so many big conventions, concerts and events cancelled, we hope our Costumiers Fantasy Masquerade Ball still is able to run.
May she offer light in the dark of winter to those who've already suffered so many other cancellations and disappointments
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INTERNATIONAL / AT RISK GUESTS
I appreciate that there are a number of you for whom can not play "wait and see".
For our overseas guests I appreciate that the risk, costs and imposed current border controls, if still running in June, may make this unfeasible for you to continue your plans to come. It would be amazing to still have you there, but we understand if you need to cancel.
And for those with compromised health or other health concerns - I also completely understand that it only takes that one person who is sick to put you at risk.
I am happy to cancel & refund your tickets, just email me dewildcosplay@gmail.com and I'll get it sorted.
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WHAT ACTION HAVE I BEEN TAKING IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
For the past week my every moment has been about taking decisive action to minimise financial loses and health risks on anyone who has entrusted me to arrange oversea trips for them or you, my guests at events I'm organising. You are all paramount in my concerns.
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WHAT IS MY PLAN IF WE 'MUST' CANCEL?
I am starting talks with the hotel and vendors over the next few days to assess what my options are should I be forced down that track.
If it happens:
First up I won't be postponing to later this year.
There are currently TOO MANY events re-scheduling into the end of this year which I see as incredibly unwise as they fight and compete over your affection and let's face it $$, while all crammed into a few short weeks, all on top of each other.
If forced to cancel in July this year - we would look to reschedule our inaugural Costumiers Fantasy Masquerade Ball to ~May/June~ next year.
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OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
My husband and I have invested a lot of time and "our personal money" into this event, as well as making (and still making) large props and set / theming - so we are determined to see her run.
Your ticket money hasn't & can't be accessed by us until just before the event so it's all safely still sitting there, so should we need to refund everyone.
May I also stress that Paul & I have not and will not be drawing ANY income of this event - we are arranging this ball because we're passionate about the creative costuming communities and this is our way of giving back to it.
We hope you'll stick with us regardless of this years outcome and we'll get to have you join us year on year, making it bigger, and grander with each.
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TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Tickets are still still available for both nights so please still encourage your friends in the creative costume communities to join you.
Let's make the Costumiers Fantasy Masquerade Ball weekend your bright light in the dark of winter.
Rozanne de Wild